Fastening device



Patented Aug. 21, 1945 UNITED STATES B235F13NT^ OFFICE,

.a,3fs3,15r@W` 1, FASTENING nEvrcE 1John/1?,l `ar'sons, Toledo, Ohio: w Application Novembery 20, 1943;` Serial No. 511,191 "zclaim, {creer-uff This invention relates to fastening devices but more particularly `to fasteners of sheet material used for connecting members togetherin such manner that one can rock relative to the othein An object is to `provide a new andimproved fastener of the` above character which can be readily applied to one'part to be joined and securelyengages the other part without employing separate fasteners `for holding the twohpart's against accidental separation. y

Another object is to produce a simple andeicient connection between two members by lwhich one can Vrock'relative tothe other by employing a simple clip of sheet material which is adapted readilyto be appliedto one part for grippingly engaging the other part and inherently vholding the two parts in assembled relation. I

A further object is to produce an articulated connection between two parts by means of a sheet metal clip grippingly engaging one part andi so designed as to engage the other part so that the latter can rock freely, the parts being capable `thereby -of being quickly and easily connected without use of special tools.

A still further object is to produce a fastener which can be manufactured inexpensively and will hereinafter appear, and, for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, an embodiment of the invention is shown` on the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is` a side elevation of a hydraulically operated window regulator showing the fastener clip used in the connection therewith;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elev vational showing the fastener connected in place; Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a transverse -sectiorialI view on the line 4--4 of Figure 3.

The illustrated embodiment of theq invention' comprises a vehicle window panel I0, the lower edge of which is embraced by a channel I I having `the usual depending slotted retainers i2. Sliding horizontally in the retainer slots are studs or buttons I3, which are fixed respectively to the outer endsof regulator arms'M and I5, thelatter being pivotally connectedby a rivet I6. The inner ends ofthe arms I4 and I5 are pivoted` respectively to' upright frame arms I'Iand I8, whichare connected at `their lower en'ds to a cross bar I9, `the toraise the window panel I0 by ahydraulic de- .I

vice, which comprises a piston rod` 2li provided with apiston reciprocably mounted in a cylinder w at z2li to the framearm II and is limited so far as upward swinging movement is concerned, by a stop pin 25 on the frame arm I8.` An helical coil spring 26 ishookedover the cross arm I5 at its' upper endl-and the lower end is hooked over the under sideof the arm 23; Suffice it tosay that liquid under pressure is admitted to the cylinder 2I through a tube 21 for effecting upward movement of the window panel I0 and is trapped toy hold the window in the desired position of adjustment. By permitting the liquid to flow from the cylinder, the window panel is lowered by means of the coil spring 26. For more detail description of I the construction and `operation of the regulator mechanism, reference is made to my copending application Serial No. 452,864, entitled Regulator mechanism unit. l

It is a desideratum to establish a connection between the piston rod 2D and cross arm I4 as well as between the cylinder extension 22 and arm 23, which affords pivotal movement between the parts but which' is inexpensive both from the ,standpoint of manufacture and assembly.` Since both connections are identical, description of one is deemed sufficient. Forminga part of the eX- tension 22 is an annular rod 28 which has an enlarged knob or semispherical end portion 29. The diameter of the portion 23 isgreater than that of the rod 28 so that an annular shoulder or Y ledge 30 is formed. 'The arm 23 is formed on its upper edge with' a curved notch 3|, which is shaped to receive the knob 29 so that the knob is seated in the notch. for rocking movements,

Embracing the arm 23 is a U-shaped one-piece clip C preferably of relatively thin spring metal.

The clip C has a pair of parallel closely spaced arms 32, which are formed adjacent their side edge portions with spacer embossures or detents 33 extending inwardly into snug frictional engagement with the adjacent side of the arm 23.

thereby, spacing each of the clip arms 32 therefrom. The free upper ends of the clip arms 32 are outwardly ared or cupped at the central portion, as indicated at 34, to facilitate the insertion of the knob 29 between the arms of the clip in the assembly operation. Adjacent the upper end of each of the arms 32 and spaced inwardly from the free end in position adjacent to the ared portion 34 is a cut out or aperture 35 which is annular except for wedge shaped tongue 36, the point of which'extends downwardly to engage the ledge or shoulder 30 of the knob. Manifestly the two tongues 3B by engaging the shoulder 30, hold the knob from upward movement or disengagement from thev clip but at the same time enable` the knob to rock or swivel during the operation of the regulator mechanism.

In practice, it will be apparent that the clip C is first forced upon the arm 23. Then by holding the clip from retrograde movement, they knob 23 is forced between the ared portions 34, `which assist in guiding the knob, thereby flexing the arms 32 outwardly and until the knob seats in the notch or socket 3 I. The tongues 36 are so chosenV that when in -this position, theirpointed ends impinge against ,theshoulder A3,0 toy provide point contact enabling the knob 29and associated parts to rock or swivel freely. In order to disconnect time and labor involvedin assembly operations.`

The eld of use for; this fastener is Iwide and it is to be understood that the above use is to be regarded merely by way of illustration. Numerous changes ink details ofconstruction, ar-

of said elements, opposite side portions of saidl U-shaped clip having transversely aligned holes of substantially circular configuration receiving the semi-spherical end portion of said one elei ment, at least one side of said U-shaped clip having integral means at the edge of the o-pening therein extending to and constituting a fulcrum for the chord of said semi-spherical end portion aforesaid, the engagement of said fulcrum with said semi-spherical portion being such as to preclude displacement of said semi-spherical end portion from said aligned holes.

2'. A coupling between two structural elements,`

one of said elements having a substantially semispherical end portion and the other element having an arcuate: notch to receive and form a yseat for said semi-spherical end portion, said coupling comprising a, substantially -U-shaped. clip embracing a portion of the other of saidelements, opposite side portions of said U-shaped clipV having transversely aligned holes of substantially, circular yconfiguration receiving the. semi-spherical end portion of said one element, at least one side of said U-shaped clip` having integral meansat th'e edge of the openingitherein extending to and constituting a fulcrum for the chord of said semi-r spherical end portion aforesaid, the engagement of said fulcrum with said semi-spherical portion.

being such as topreclude displacement of said semi-spherical end portion from said aligned holes and to retain the sphericalend portion'in its seal?.

l JOHN B. PARSONS. 

